HB 351

Abstract

Firearm locking device required for purchase of a firearm; warning against accessibility to children; penalty. Requires any person who purchases a firearm to either (i) obtain or purchase from a licensed dealer a locking device for such firearm if a minor is present in such person's residence for 14 days or more in a calendar month or (ii) complete a certification statement on a form provided by the Department of State Police certifying that a minor is not present in such person's residence for 14 days or more in a calendar month, with exceptions enumerated in the bill. Accordingly, the bill provides that it is unlawful for any licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any firearm to any person, other than a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer, unless (a) the firearm is accompanied by a warning, in conspicuous and legible type in capital letters printed on a separate sheet of paper included within the packaging enclosing the firearm, that firearms should be locked and kept away from children and that there may be civil and criminal liability for failing to do so and (b) the transferee (1) obtains or purchases a locking device for such firearm if a minor is present in such person's residence for 14 days or more in a calendar month or (2) completes the certification statement. A violation of either provision is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Firearm locking device required for purchaseof a firearm; households where minor resides; penalty. Requiresany person who purchases a firearm to either (i) purchase a lockingdevice for such firearm if such person resides in the same householdas a minor or (ii) complete a certification statement on a form providedby the Department of State Police, under penalty of perjury, certifyingthat he does not reside in the same household as a minor, with exceptionsenumerated in the bill. Accordingly, the bill provides that it isunlawful for any licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licenseddealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any firearm to any person, otherthan a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer,unless the transferee (a) purchases a locking device for such firearm if such person resides in the same household as a minor or (b) completesa certification statement on a form provided by the Department ofState Police, under penalty of perjury, certifying that he does notreside in the same household as a minor. A violation of either provisionis a Class 1 misdemeanor.